CycleLove’s Top 10 Brands with Cycle Style to watch in 2013
James Greig | February 15, 2013
Compiling this article a decade ago would have been a thankless task. In fact (and I had to check this) even the likes of Rapha hadn’t launched back in 2003.
What were people wearing to cycle? If I were to hazard a guess, I’d say either normal clothes, or at the other end of the spectrum, lycra-based cycling kit.
Fast-forward to 2013 however, and the variety of designer cycle-wear available to straddle this gap has exploded. Whether you are a road-runner, a trail-rider or an urban commuter, there’s now a huge range of bike-friendly clothing available. So much so, that the array of options can feel a little overwhelming at times.
To make your decision-making process a little easier, I’ve collected my take on the cycle style brands to watch out for in 2013.
10. Kitsbow
Looking for mountain bike wear that will see you through the rigours of the trail with style? This is the company for you. From merino base shorts to jerseys and shells, Kitsbow have crafted a range of apparel with unusually stand-out style for the world of MTBing.
Sastan Jersey by Kitsbow, $327
9. Restrap
Yorkshire’s Restrap have just launched an expanded range of bags, which are big and bold enough to satisfy the courier in anyone. As their website duly notes, “messenger bags have a long history in the world of cycling”, but from even a quick glance at their bags it’s clear that Restrap are taking “the task of designing our own very seriously” indeed.
‘The Loader’ messenger bag by Restrap, £129
8. Outlier
Boasting a range of tailored clothing to suit many kinds of active pursuit, Outlier are not a cycle specific brand. On their website you’ll see models leaping from iceberg infested seas, running across mountain tops and leap-frogging city walls. All of which hints that their stretchy, dirt-resistant trousers (in particular) are great for riding in.
Women’s Daily Riding Pant by Outlier, $225.
7. Cadence
As a graphic designer I’m especially picky about my jersey collection, taking strong objection to the way that logos are seemingly slapped at random across many of them. Which made the inclusion of Cadence in this article something of a no-brainer. Founded by Dustin Klein in 2003, Cadence’s range — which includes everything from rain jackets to caps — has a direct, no-nonsense simplicity which ticks all my design boxes. What should we expect from them this year? “A steady mix of innovative lifestyle cycling pieces will continue to release up to the offical Launch of our summer 13 collection Turbo”. Sounds good to me.
Cadence Elite Jersey, $130
6. Swrve
Jeans worn by humans on bikes need many qualities to survive life on the road. They need to have stretch, and be dirt and water resistant, but also highly durable. The cut of Swrve‘s jeans makes them perfect for the job, with a lower front waist but higher back to keep you respectable, and articulated knees for a better fit in the saddle. I’m hoping to review a pair in the very near future…
Men’s cycling jeans by Swrve, £80
5. H&M for Brick Lane Bikes
Launching on the 7th March online and in 180 stores globally, Brick Lane Bikes’ 11-piece collection for H&M promises a plethora of utilitarian style for urban cyclists “from water repellent rider jackets and articulated blazers to vintage-inspired bike jerseys and caps”. The official press release and our earlier article about the collaboration on CycleLove both have further details of the range. This time it’s for guys only, but I’d like to think that we’ll see another high street retailer offering a bike-specific ladies collection in the next couple of years. It’s about time.
4. Sahn
Stylish protection for your noggin is hard to come by for urban riders. Thankfully Vancouver’s Sahn have stepped into the breach with a sleek, equine-esque helmet, which is heading to UK stores later this year. Our recent feature on Sahn will fill you in on the creative duo behind this brand new brand.
Sahn Classic Helmet, $129
3. Iva Jean
Since launching their collection via Kickstarter last year, Iva Jean‘s chic range of ladies clothing has been turning heads on both sides of the Atlantic. With “new products, tighter designs, an improved shopping experience” in the pipeline, 2013 looks like being a great year for this Seattle-based company.
Reveal Skirt by Iva Jean, $160
2. Otto London
Cape crusaders and all-round purveyors of style Otto London have reinvented the poncho with a colourful Venezuelan twist. With new ponchos due in March and bags in the pipeline for the autumn, Otto London are clearly serious about their mission to “bring colour to your everyday ride” in 2013.
Urban Cape by Otto London, £65
1. Vulpine
A rising star amongst the explosion of British cycling brands of late, Vulpine‘s gear is delightfully bike-specific, without ever compromising on style. From their inclusion in Road.cc’s top products of 2012 to coming out on top over Levi’s in a head-to-head review by the Guardian, 2012 was by any standard a huge success for Vulpine. Next month sees their range gaining new colour-ways and an expanded collection for women, something which I imagine will be warmly welcomed by their growing peleton of fans.
Merino Button Jersey by Vulpine, £80
Posted to Journal
by James Greig
